The importer and the distributor of the drug have also been asked to remove all the tablets from pharmacies across the country. The departments of health nationwide will now supervise the removal of the medicine as well as check medical clinics and drug stores in the country.

In response to concerns over incidents regarding Cervarix vaccine, which protects against types of human papillomavirus infection that cause most cervical cancers, the Ministry is keeping a close eye on the vaccine, said Dr. Nguyen Van Binh, Head of the Department of Preventive Medicine.

Each year the country uses more than 40,000 dozes of Cervarix vaccine. Binh said in April 2013, a 17-year-old schoolgirl died after an injection of the vaccine. However, related agencies said the death of the girl was caused by other poisoning.